Political Prisoner Alaa Abd El-Fattah Is Free - But Still "Doesn't Have Justice"

"and he has been repeatedly targeted by the current authoritarian government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Most recently, he was sentenced to five years in prison for a Facebook post. That sentence ended last September, but authorities refused to release him, saying his two years of pretrial detention did not count. Monday's pardon comes after years of international pressure to "Free Alaa," including in the United Kingdom, where he also holds citizenship."

"Both Alaa and his mother, Laila Soueif, participated in lengthy hunger strikes. Ahdaf Soueif, Abd El-Fattah's aunt, says his release has brought the family "tremendous relief," as well as "hope that this is the beginning of the release of a lot of other political prisoners" in Egypt. We also speak with journalist Sharif Abdel Kouddous, who has covered the case for many years. "Alaa is free, but he doesn't have justice," he says."

Alaa Abd El-Fattah received a presidential pardon and reunited with his family after spending most of the past 12 years in prison. He was a leading voice in the 2011 Arab Spring and faced repeated targeting by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government. He received a five-year sentence over a Facebook post; that sentence ended last September but authorities initially refused release citing pretrial detention. International pressure, including from the United Kingdom where he holds citizenship, contributed to the pardon. Both Alaa and his mother endured lengthy hunger strikes. Family members expressed relief and hope for other political prisoners amid thousands still detained.

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